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5 Tips to Keep Your Family Sane as you Travel

Traveling can really put pressure on the family unit and in all honesty travel makes me stressed out when I am by myself, let alone when I have the kids along with me. We love to travel and we try to go away at least 3 times per year as long as finances and schedules allow it. During our many travels, we have found ways in which we can all preserve our sanity on a trip away and here are 5 tips on how you can do it too.

Journalist Pack

Something which my kids absolutely love was an idea that I actually came up with to buy some peace and quiet, the journalist pack. I had a brainwave that if my kids were to chart and document their travels, that they would stay far more quiet and ask far less questions when traveling, and it actually worked. Each year then I give each of my kids a map, a camera and a notepad with a pen and ask them to do a play-by-play of there travels, cue silence and relaxation for the parents.

Headphones

You simply have to remember to take headphones when you go away with kids, or with your husband for that matter and make sure that they are the ones which cancel all outside noise. This may sound like a irresponsible parenting tip but you know what, sometimes us mums just need to switch off, relax and maintain our sanity, headphones are the perfect tonic for this.

Preparation is Key

I cannot stress how important it is to be prepared to avoid insanity, before you leave home. Make sure the kids have plenty to do, download movies, TV shows and games long before you leave and make sure that all their gadgets are juiced up. Games, books and all other manner of things should be paced and ready to go in advance so that you don’t forget a thing.

Food and Drinks

Much of the stress which takes place when you are traveling comes down to not eating and drinking enough and so I always try to plan well ahead in this regard. Little snacks and bottles of water are great for the kids but make sure that you avoid anything with sugar, I made that mistake once and after a nightmare flight with a hyperactive toddler, I will never do it again.

Incentives

The best way that I have found to keep the kids from turning into annoying little monsters, yes I love them but any parent would say the same, is to offer incentives throughout. Try to break the journey down into bitesize pieces and give them a reward if they are goo between each of the goals that you have set. People say that you shouldn’t bribe you kids in this way but you know what, if it means that we can all stay sane during our travels, then I for one, am all for it.

If you have any other tips to stay sane when traveling, let us know in the comments section.